By the sound of things both coaches, Dipak Patel of Central Districts (CD) and Tony Sail of Auckland, were trying their hands at fine-weather magic this afternoon as they prepared for the vital Shell Cup match at Eden Park tomorrow.

A bustling north-easter blew light rain over Auckland for most of yesterday - threatening a fifth one-day washout for CD and a third for Auckland. The forecast suggested showers for Auckland tomorrow, hopefully before the midday start.

Auckland, CD and Canterbury share second place in the Cup, three points astern of Northern Districts, one ahead of Otago - and with the possibility that the two semi-finalists may be decided on run rates.

"That is the worry for us," said Patel. "We might have been getting one point for a washout, but that did not give us the chance to improve our run-rate figures."

However, both Patel and Sail were philosophical that reserve days were not available on which to complete Cup matches. Sail said that was a counterbalance to having two full rounds of Shell Trophy matches, and Patel said cost would also have been a factor in dispensing with reserve days.

"But that is something New Zealand Cricket must look at in future - perhaps in future they could fit in reserve days after Christmas."

Auckland have retained the 12 players who twiddled their thumbs at Napier, with the possibility that Lou Vincent may find his way back into the team. Illness has kept Gareth West out of the CD bowling attack, and he will be replaced by Haydn Morgan.

The match will start at noon, and the teams will be chosen from:

Central Districts: Jacob Oram, David Kelly, Mathew Sinclair, Craig Spearman, Ben Smith, Glen Sulzberger, Andrew Schwass, Bevan Griggs, Ewen Thompson, Mark Douglas, Brent Hefford, Haydn Morgan.

Auckland: Blair Pocock, Dion Nash, Llorne Howell, John Aiken, Adam Parore, Brooke Walker, Tama Canning, Andre Adams, Chris Drum, Mark Haslam, Kyle Mills, Lou Vincent.

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